Historical and cultural tour of the two most interesting Central Asian republics will acquint visitors with divers culture and monuments of ancient civilizations: Margiana, Parphia, Sogdiana and Khorezm. In 2 weeks you will visit 8 (!) objects of UNESCO World Heritage in Samarqand, Shakhrisabz, Buchara, Khiva, Merv, Margush, Kunya-Urgench and Old Nisa. You will not only plunge into the ancient history and culture, but also communicate with the locals, who turned the desert info fertile oases.

BRIEF PROGRAM OF THE TOUR

Day 1

Arrival in Tashkent. Transfer to the hotel. Rest.

Day 2

After breakfast drive to Samarqand. Afternoon sightseeing.

Day 3

Continue of sightseeing in Samarkand. Late afternoon drive to Shakhrisabz.

Continue sightseeing in Buchara: Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa - summer residence of the Emir of Buchara. The Bahauddin Naqshbandi complex - one of the founders of Sufism, which was created for five centuries. Necropolis of Sheikh Bahaaddin (Baha-ad-Din) Naqshbandi a patron of Bukhara, is located near to Buchara. O/n at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning depart Mary and drive through fields by asphalt road corresponding partly to the Old Caravan Route from Merv to Kunya Urgench. After 70 km, change the vehicle to desert track and continue driving through the desert to archaeology camp. Discover the excavations of the ancient Margush country capital – Gonur which consists of the Palace of the city, Fire and Water Temples, Royal Necropolis. Return in Mary. Visit Mary historical Museum. O/n at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing in Ashgabat. Visit the Museum of Turkmen Carpets Turkmenistan, visit center of the city with magnificent new marble building and fountains. O/n at the hotel.

Day 11

Breakfast at the hotel. Continue sightseeing Ashgabat, Visit National Museum of Turkmenistan and the ruins of Old Nisa – residence of the ancient Parthian kings. Continue to Gypjak. Visit Spiritual Mosque. Return to Ashgabat. O/n t at the hotel.

After breakfast start sightseeing in Khiva: Ichan Kala – the museum under one sky, protected by the UNESKO as one of the world heritage masterpiece. Kalta-Minor Minaret (1855) – incomplete minaret of 26m height and base diameter of 16m height. It was planned as a highest minaret in Central Asia. Kunya-Ark (XVII-XIX cc) – the first palace of Khiva’s khans, Pahlovan Mahmud mausoleum (XIV-XIX c), Islam Khodja madrassah and minaret (1908 y.). Juma-mosque (1789) - the original Friday mosque with flat roof, propped up by 218 wooden carved columns (X-XIX c) with magnificent acoustics.
In the evening fly to Tashkent. On arrival transfer to the hotel, check –in & rest. O/n at the hotel. .

Day 14

Sightseeing in Tashkent: Old town, cult-architectural complex Khast-Imam – Imam ) with grand Friday mosque, medieval Yunus-khan and Kafal-Shashi mausoleums (XVI c), Barakh – khan and Kukeldosh madrasahs (XVI-XVII c), Islamic University, library in Tillya Sheykh mosque with one of Osman caliph’s (VII c) original Korans, the oldest in the world; Istiqlol square with Abdul Kasim madrasah (XVI-XVII c) (the craftsmen works and sells their original products and souvenirs here), Alisher Navoiy monument, great amusement park, аnd the color music fountain; Amir Timur square (Tamerlan) with the park, equestrian statue of Tamerlan, surrounded by historic and administrative buildings such as the Forum palace, the Timurids museum, Uzbekistan Hotel, Tashkent chimes, Tashkent University of Low and others; Courage monument – the monument to Tashkent people suffered from the destructive earthquake in 1966; Opera and Ballet theater, built by the Japanese prisoners of war in 1945, аnd the color music fountain; Mustaqillik (Independence) square with the Independence monument, “Ezgulik” arch, the eternal flame, the fountains; “Chorsu” eastern bazaar, decorative and applied art with the richest collection of Uzbekistan craftsmen’s products.

Day 15

Departure from Tashkent.

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Arrival dates

Available places

any dateby request

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Available: Book this trip now as spaces are available. (However internal flights &/or special permits may still be subject to availability.)

Limited Availability: Limited spaces are available so please click on the Contact Us link to enquire about the departure status.

Closed: This date is unavailable. Please click on the Contact Us link to enquire about other trip departure dates or booking this trip as a private departure.

Room type:

½ DBL

Cost includes:

Cost does not include:

• accommodation on twin-share basis according to Class opt;
• meals: breakfasts throughout;
• transport for all transfers according to program;
• sightseeing with local guides in each city;
• entrance fees to main tourist sites according to program;
• letter of invitation (visa support letter);
• general escort guide: one in Uzbekistan / another one in Turkmenistan (! for groups over 6 pax only).